Answers posted here, if they don’t fit into one of the above categories.
June 1, 2007

Master, Bless!

Vladyka,

It has come to my attention that some people, laity and clergy alike, are questioning Archimandrite Isidore’s credentials in regards to substance abuse counseling on a private Orthodox forum. They have assumed he has not received any training in substance abuse counseling. It would seem to me that with a Masters of Divinity he would be more than equipped to counsel those with substance abuse problems. What are your thoughts on this matter? Please forgive my question if it is inappropriate. I can’t stand to see gossip about our young monastic priests on the Internet.

Olympiada

Dear Olympiada,

I wonder why there would be a question as to the Archimandrite’s substance abuse qualifications. He is a priest just like many we have in America and by far most have no training in substance abuse counseling but one doesn’t need that to be a priest.
I believe that 15% of my priests are certified right now and that number is rising and it only enhances their ability to deal with what is a serious issue here.

Love and blessings,
+Bishop NIKOLAI

Nicos Konstan wrote:
Dear Despota,

Christ is Risen!

Now that the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Church Abroad are reuniting,
what does that mean for the OCA?

Will the ROCOR recognise the OCA’s Autocephaly, or just it’s autonomy as the
Greek churches do?

One more question; Will the OCA now be in communion with the Church Abroad,
that was a nasty schism in the 30’s and 40’s?

Nicos

Dear Nicos,

I believe that this reuniting is very positive. The Moscow Patriarchate is the Mother of both The Orthodox Church in America and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.
ROCOR, as part of the Moscow Patriarchate, has no choice but to honor what the Mother Church gave to the OCA, and yes, absolutely, we will be in communion just as we are in communion with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Love and blessings,
+Bishop NIKOLAI

May 13, 2007

Subdeacon Mark Harrison wrote:

Master, bless!

I saw on this web-site that you are establishing a skete in Eklutna that will
be a skete of “St. Heman Monastery” on Spruce Island. From all that I have seen
from being there, there is only a remnant of what I believe is the former
monastery under the Platina group. There is no living monastic community under
your jurisdiction. I was hoping you would be willing to clarify exactly what
you mean by calling the new skete a skete of St. Heman Monastery. In all
honesty, it looks odd, and I am sure that you will agree that in the current
climate in the OCA such things are bound to raise concern. If it were stated
clearly in your publicity information that this skete is the seed for a
monastery you hope to see built on Spruce Island, that would certainly make it
clear to me. If there are specific plans for such a monastery in the works, I
am sure that I and other readers would be happy to hear of them.

Thank you for your time.

Sdn. Mark Harrison

Dear Subdeacon Mark,

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Thank you for your question. I know that you are personally aware of the integrity of the Diocese of Alaska and the importance to me that we are forthright in our activities. At the same time, I don’t find it necessary to make public explanations for every decision made in the best interest of the church here in Alaska. I realize also that the establishment of a Skete in Anchorage as a dependency of St. Herman Monastery on Spruce Island may be a cause for confusion for some, as it did for you, and an intelligent explanation of our reasons for deciding to establish St. Nicholas as such would do a lot to clear your confusion.

I don’t need to tell you of the historical and spiritual significance of Spruce Island to our Holy Orthodox Faith. Your time in Alaska has certainly made you deeply aware of that. It was this same significance that served as my motivation for making the decision to have St. Nicholas be a Skete of St. Herman Monastery. While, indeed, there are no monks at Monks Lagoon, no one has ever conceded to giving up the struggle to establish a monastic life there. Indeed, my own work as Diocesan Bishop with regard to the rejuvenation of the chapel and the building up of the annual pilgrimage are steps toward this. As of yet, however, we don’t have the men to go and live there. We do however have men here in Anchorage who support our efforts in the administration of the church and have embraced monasticism with faith in the vision of the administration. It is our hope that, over time, as our Skete in Anchorage grows and attracts vocations, we can seed the mother house with those men.

So, you see Mark — the decision to make the Skete a dependency of the St. Herman Monastery was a spiritual decision. It was a decision made with faith in St. Herman’s prophesy as we hear in the Akathist service; that a great monastery be established in this land. It is also a clear indication that we have not given up on our belief that St. Herman is ceaselessly praying for the establishment and growth of this great vineyard of Christ. I hope that this brief explanation sufficiently answers your question. Please feel free to post another question should you need further clarification.

Love and Blessings,
Bishop NIKOLAI

January 26, 2007

Tryphon wrote:

Dear Vladyka,

Thank you for the opportunity to address you in this manner-it is appreciated. I’ve watched, for the last year, the issues within the OCA unfold to the public at-large and have had many discussions abroad about our turmoiled jurisdiction. I pray it improves.

Vladyka, I’ve wondered for quite sometime now, why the Diocese of Alaska remains within the jurisdiction of the OCA? The culture and practices of the Diocese of Alaska seems so different at times from the majority of parishes within the rest of the OCA. Not that I encourage a schism or anything or would even know to which jurisdiction we would go, I merely feel our diocese is so much more aligned with certain Orthodox beliefs not shared by the majority of our jurisdiction - like not having protestant style pews invading our places of worship, the use of the “old calender”, stain glass windows, or modernization of church service texts from our older traditional ones (for instance, proclaiming: “Glory to You oh God…” rather than “Glory to Thee oh God…”) and other practices. I appreciate not having these things in our churches, but it seems many who were protestant Christians prior to their “becoming”, retain these residual acceptances. I realize what I ask might sound
suggestive or divisive-however it isn’t intended to be.

Thank you so much Vladyka for your time and attention, it is dearly appreciated.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Tryphon (Brad) Angasan

Dear Tryphon,

Yes, we all hope and pray that God’s mercy will abound and these tribulations in the OCA and America will be resolved.

I don’t think your question concerning the Diocese of Alaska is at all divisive or fomenting schism. While I agree with what you are saying, nonetheless we’ve all got to try and put things together as they should be. Unfortunately, there are those who think very little of Alaska and Her rightful place in the history of Orthodoxy in America.

I am not going to deter the direction I have set for my diocese nor will I capitulate to the pressures from outside of what is rightfully mine to steward. It isn’t easy but it is right and may God be the judge.

Love and Blessings,
Bishop NIKOLAI

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January 4, 2007

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Ilija wrote:Vase Preosvestenstvo Gospodine Vladiko NikolajPomaze BogMy name is Ilija, my interested, do you speak Serbian language?S postovanjem
IlijaDear Ilija,Yes, I do speak Serbian.Love and blessings,
Bishop NIKOLAI

Ilija wrote:Vase Preosvestenstvo Gospodine Vladiko NikolajPomaze BogMy name is Ilija, my interested, do you speak Serbian language?S postovanjemIlijaDear Ilija,

Ilija wrote:Vase Preosvestenstvo Gospodine Vladiko NikolajPomaze BogMy name is Ilija, my interested, do you speak Serbian language?S postovanjemIlijaDear Ilija,